History

Builders Service Background

Who We Are:

Since 1955 , Builders Service, Inc. has been a full service building material supplier for contractors and do-it-yourselfers.  We supply everything needed to build your dream home or to remodel your existing home.  We custom make Roof and Floor Trusses to your required dimensions. Lumber, siding, insulation, doors, windows, cabinets, paint, hardware and roofing; you name it we can supply it.  Our goal is to make your project easier by doing whatever we can to help our customers.

Our fleet of trucks and equipment can deliver your supplies to your door or roof.

We are constantly looking for ways to lower prices or keep price increases to a minimum.  With the volatile building material market, knowledgeable and timely buying of materials is essential to offering affordable materials.  Builders Service has joined forces with the Vertack Group in partnership with several vendors and dealers to obtain better pricing on materials, and the cost savings are passed onto the customer.  Close association with the WisconsinRetail Lumberman’s Association (WRLA) also benefits our customers by keeping close watch on local, state, and federal legislation affecting the building industry in Wisconsinand our community.

History:

Colonel Himes, a military man, moved to the Crandon area to work for the Fish Lumber Company sometime after 1913.  He is credited with bringing “automated” logging to the area by brining in mechanical tractors and trucks haul the trees rather than the horse pulled sleds.  After a fire at the Crandon mill in the 1930’s, Colonel Himes purchased the remains and rebuilt the mill.  He then started several small lumber yards in Crandon, Wabeno, ThreeLakes, and Elcho.  He supplied these lumber yards with local hemlock and pine.  The original Elcho structure, pictured here, is still part of the main Builders Service store today.  Click HERE for more photos of the Himes Lumber company.

In November of 1954 Roy and MildredAlmen, Arney Peterson and Peter Riegert purchased the Himes Company and created Builders Service, Inc.  This photo, probably taken in 1956, shows a new paint job and the “GardenCenter” on the left.

Current owners Rod and Nilah Visser  along with their sons Todd and Dave continue to develop and grow the business and physical structures.  Builders Service, Inc. continues to be a strong business presence in Elcho.